Important 2026 Fall Financial Aid Changes
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. The OBBBA has made significant changes affecting federal aid programs, eligible amounts, and limits of various financial aid offers. As a result, it will impact payment and residual funding beginning with the 2026 Fall semester.
- Direct loan eligibility amounts will now be subject to enrollment intensity requirements, like the Pell Grant.
- If you are enrolled less than full-time (in at least 12 credit hours) during the semester (for example, enrolled in 9 credit hours for a semester), your federal loan eligibility will be reduced proportionally based on your enrollment rather than being eligible for the full annual loan limit.
- Eligibility for loans requires enrollment in at least 6 credits per semester.
- Enrollment changes matter - changes in your enrollment status (such as dropping courses, withdrawing, or attending less than full-time) may result in recalculations of your loan amount and future disbursements.
- If other non-federal aid and scholarships equal or exceed a student's total Cost of Attendance (COA), a student will no longer be eligible for Pell Grant funding.
- If the non-federal aid and scholarships can be reduced, Pell Grant eligibility may be reevaluated and restored.
- If a student has any unmet cost when Pell Grant eligibility is determined, they will still be eligible for their total Pell Grant, even if they are put over the total Cost of Attendance.
- Any new Parent PLUS loan borrowers will only be able to borrow up to $20,000 per year. This is the new annual loan limit.
- Eligibility is determined by Cost of Attendance (COA) minus all other aid, not to exceed the new annual limit.
- There is no change to eligibility rules for parents who are currently Parent PLUS loan borrowers.
- LC State will be disbursing aid to students after the 10th day of the semester.
- Students will be issued any residual funds by check or through direct deposit during the third week of the semester.
- Participation in classes is still required and will be confirmed by instructors through the enrollment confirmation process.
- Due to the OBBBA changes, this change will allow for the accurate calculation and disbursement of student aid.
- Residual disbursements will no longer be available before the semester starts.
- The completion of Intent to Attend is no longer required.
- Aid will be based on actual/confirmed enrollment as of the 10th day of the semester.
- Fees will be due by the 10th day of the semester.
- There will be one payment plan option - a down payment plus a $25.00 enrollment fee and two equal payments thirty days apart.
- Fall semester
- Down payment plus enrollment fee - by 10th day
- 2nd payment - last Thursday of September
- Final payment - last Thursday of October
- Spring semester
- Down payment plus enrollment fee - by 10th day
- 2nd payment - last Thursday of February
- Final payment - last Thursday of March
- Fall semester
- All Payment Plans will be processed using Meadow Pay (link available through Warrior Web)